An African-American family struggles to retain their heritage, in the form of a history told in the carvings on the family piano. Boy Willie wants to sell the piano and use the money to buy ... Read allAn African-American family struggles to retain their heritage, in the form of a history told in the carvings on the family piano. Boy Willie wants to sell the piano and use the money to buy farmland, but sister Berniece won't part with it.An African-American family struggles to retain their heritage, in the form of a history told in the carvings on the family piano. Boy Willie wants to sell the piano and use the money to buy farmland, but sister Berniece won't part with it.
- Nominated for 9 Primetime Emmys
- 4 wins & 12 nominations total
Charles S. Dutton
- Boy Willie
- (as Charles Dutton)
Tommy Lafitte
- Ace
- (as Tommy La Fitte)
Alice Eisner
- Watermelon Lady
- (as Alice Gerber Eisner)
John W. Iwanonkiw
- Electrician Helper
- (uncredited)
Jackson Nunn
- Horse Trainer-Owner
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
i emphasize Play because it seems that earlier commentators think Dutton over emotes. all the actors are convincing. this is not to say that all Afro-Americans always acted this way in the 30's. Indeed some act this way today when they feel comfortable . her uncle probably wouldn't be singing in the house except that he felt comfortable singing with these guys around a bottle of whiskey. to say this is merely a ghost story is to miss the point. this like A Raisen In The Sun where the man sees an opportunity to finally own a piece of the rock and a member of his family will not part with the means to acquire it. Also, there is quite a lot more going on here if you watch the play a second time, as i did.
This movie is a weird mix of a ghost story and a drama. The story is in the beginning vague and when you continue watching it, it becomes clearer and clearer, but it does not suck you into the story and make you want to see how it ends, maybe because the director made it more dramatic then scary.
I do not remember any background music in the movie, which makes it more special. The music is coming from the actors themselves, which was amazing to me and I must say to the actors: well done!
I do not remember any background music in the movie, which makes it more special. The music is coming from the actors themselves, which was amazing to me and I must say to the actors: well done!
Charles S Dutton was very annoying but all of the rest of the cast did a awesome job, Very good movie Yes I recommend it. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 3/21/2021
Based on the August Wilson play, the cast is first rate with Alfre Woodard, Charles Dutton, Lou Myers, Courtney B. Vance and others in this film. The film was produced for the classic Hallmark Hall of Fame. I didn't see the play so I don't know of the differences. There is a lot of dialogue among the cast to help believability. Back when they aired television movies on networks, Hallmark Hall of Fame produced the finest quality of films with cast and writing. This film is worth viewing at least once.
In all truth, I watched this by mistake, thinking i was about to see the 2006 film by the same name. Although I still have to see the new film, this take of Piano Lesson was a nice surprise. Funny, smart, touching - it had it all. The storyline is great, evolving just at the right pace, without being too expected (as in Boring) or too melodramatic (as in Not my cup of tea). The plot has twists and turns, the characters are 3-D and interesting and the actors convincingly bring them to life. As I said - a very nice surprise for me, and I'm about to watch this all over again - this time with my boyfriend. I give it an easy 10 out of 10. Wonderful. >> Kim B. >> http://www.reviewsnest.com
Did you know
- TriviaThe original Braodway production of "The Piano Lesson" by August Wilson opened at the Walter Kerr Theater on April 16, 1990, ran for 328 performances and was nominated for the 1990 Tony Award for the Best Play. Charles S. Dutton, Carl Gordon, Tommy Hollis and Lou Myers recreated their stage roles in this filmed production.
- GoofsWhen Doaker, Wining Boy, Boy Willie and Lymon are sitting at the kitchen table drinking and singing, the level of alcohol rises in their glasses and the bottles between shots.
- ConnectionsEdited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)
Details
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- Country of origin
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- Also known as
- Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Piano Lesson (#44.2)
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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